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Like water into wine, corny jokes become Shakespearean sonnets. Kind of. Like water into wine, corny jokes become Shakespearean sonnets. Kind of.
(4 months later)
If you think columnists want all the readers they can get, you have another think coming. Too many readers, too many letters to answer. So from time to time we like to “thin the herd.” I do it by rewriting corny old jokes into Shakespearean sonnets.If you think columnists want all the readers they can get, you have another think coming. Too many readers, too many letters to answer. So from time to time we like to “thin the herd.” I do it by rewriting corny old jokes into Shakespearean sonnets.
Why the Blind Man Crossed the RoadWhy the Blind Man Crossed the Road
A man who could not see just crossed the roadA man who could not see just crossed the road
For reasons that I scarcely wish to say.For reasons that I scarcely wish to say.
Right quick did he get flattened, like a toadRight quick did he get flattened, like a toad
Beneath the wheel of someone’s Chevrolet.Beneath the wheel of someone’s Chevrolet.
The move he made was reckless and unwise.The move he made was reckless and unwise.
Defying both clear wisdom, and the laws —Defying both clear wisdom, and the laws —
What would What would possess a person lacking eyes
possess a person lacking eyes
To take a risk like that for no good cause?To take a risk like that for no good cause?
For no car could have stopped or even slowedFor no car could have stopped or even slowed
So quick in danger’s way this guy did veer.So quick in danger’s way this guy did veer.
Why did the blind man boldly cross the road?Why did the blind man boldly cross the road?
The answer, it is sad and odd, but clear.The answer, it is sad and odd, but clear.
He crossed the road (and thus his heart stopped tickin’)He crossed the road (and thus his heart stopped tickin’)
Because he followed blind his seein’-eye chicken.Because he followed blind his seein’-eye chicken.
The Old Man and the GenieThe Old Man and the Genie
A man of Jewish faith and long white beardA man of Jewish faith and long white beard
Encountered on the beach a silver dishEncountered on the beach a silver dish
From which a genie suddenly appearedFrom which a genie suddenly appeared
And said he’d grant the man a single wish.And said he’d grant the man a single wish.
With paper and a pen the old man drewWith paper and a pen the old man drew
A Middle Eastern map in his own hand.A Middle Eastern map in his own hand.
“Bring peace to ev’ry Arab, ev’ry Jew“Bring peace to ev’ry Arab, ev’ry Jew
For centuries, within this troubled land.”For centuries, within this troubled land.”
Aghast, the genie said, “The task’s too big!Aghast, the genie said, “The task’s too big!
Might not you make a wish that’s less complex?”Might not you make a wish that’s less complex?”
The old man thought. “Perhaps you might things rigThe old man thought. “Perhaps you might things rig
So my wife will maybe give me oral sex?”So my wife will maybe give me oral sex?”
The genie scratched his head and blinked, and thenThe genie scratched his head and blinked, and then
He coughed and said, “Let’s see that map again.”He coughed and said, “Let’s see that map again.”
The Bear, the Hippie, the Rednecks and the PriestThe Bear, the Hippie, the Rednecks and the Priest
Walking in the woods, a priest espiedWalking in the woods, a priest espied
A sandaled hippie under a fierce bear.A sandaled hippie under a fierce bear.
Then, from the brush a pair of rednecks hiedThen, from the brush a pair of rednecks hied
And shot the grizzly deader than a chair.And shot the grizzly deader than a chair.
They put the big beast’s carcass on their hoodThey put the big beast’s carcass on their hood
And gently helped the hippie to the back.And gently helped the hippie to the back.
The priest remarked upon this show of goodThe priest remarked upon this show of good
And praised their work in ending the attack.And praised their work in ending the attack.
“Though your politics and his must be at odds,“Though your politics and his must be at odds,
You’ve shown that for all humans you still care!”You’ve shown that for all humans you still care!”
And then he left. One redneck said, “Ye gods!And then he left. One redneck said, “Ye gods!
Some priests know squat ‘bout how to hunt for bear.”Some priests know squat ‘bout how to hunt for bear.”
“Now let’s make sure the hippie’s still okay“Now let’s make sure the hippie’s still okay
Or we’ll have to find more bait in town today.”Or we’ll have to find more bait in town today.”
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